Ha Ha Clinton-Dix | Safety

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It was an easy pick for GM Ted Thompson, whose defense badly needed free safety help. Expect Morgan Burnett to focus on "box" duties in 2014, and Micah Hyde to stay at corner. Clinton-Dix (6-foot-1, 208) was a two-year starter in Nick Saban's secondary, recording seven career interceptions and showing flexibility as both a box and deep safety. He has plus range, is a sure tackler, and even flashed man-cover skills at Alabama. "HHCD" isn't a special athlete, but that kind of versatility at safety is coveted in a "matchup league." Clinton-Dix clocked a 4.58 forty at the Combine with a 33-inch vertical and 9-foot-11 broad jump. He could afford to add upper-body strength, managing 11 reps on the bench. Look for Clinton-Dix to be a true centerfielder under DC Dom Capers. Thu, May 8, 2014 10:37:00 PM

ESPN's Todd McShay believes Alabama S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix could be a better pro player than he was in college.

McShay slotted Clinton-Dix to the Rams at No. 13 in his mock draft published Tuesday. "The Rams need a safety to pair with T.J. McDonald, and more specifically, with all the talented pass-rushers in their defensive front, they need a good centerfielder to track down the fly balls being thrown up by opposing quarterbacks who are under duress," he wrote. "Clinton-Dix has really good range, instincts and ball skills, and he'd be freed up to make plays in Gregg Williams' defense behind all of that talent up front. I think he could wind up as a better pro than he was a college player." NFL Media analyst Charles Davis wrote earlier this month that "it's hard to see" Clinton-Dix slipping past the Rams at No. 13. Tue, Apr 29, 2014 09:30:00 PM

NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said in a Thursday teleconference that the Bears might use the No. 14 pick to fill a safety need.

"I think they'll have shot at one of those top two guys, Ha Ha Clinton Dix from Alabama, Calvin Pryor from Louisville," Jeremiah said. "HaHa Clinton-Dix might be a little more attractive to them just as a playmaker over the top, kind of a little more range than Pryor." Clinton-Dix could also draw attention from the Lions at No. 10 and the Rams at No. 13. Chicago is also closely monitoring the DT prospects. Sat, Apr 19, 2014 09:20:00 PM

"Clinton-Dix is my top-rated safety available, and it's hard to see him getting past the Rams at No. 13, so Dallas, which holds the 16th overall pick, should have its sights set on moving ahead of St. Louis," Davis wrote. If the Cowboys decide to stay put at No. 16, they could also target Louisville's Calvin Pryor. Many evaluators have Pryor as the second-ranked safety on the board after Clinton-Dix. Davis believes that it "won't be a surprise if Dallas decides Clinton-Dix is worth the price to move up." Tue, Apr 15, 2014 11:46:00 PM

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ESPN's Todd McShay believes Alabama S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix could be a better pro player than he was in college.

McShay slotted Clinton-Dix to the Rams at No. 13 in his mock draft published Tuesday. "The Rams need a safety to pair with T.J. McDonald, and more specifically, with all the talented pass-rushers in their defensive front, they need a good centerfielder to track down the fly balls being thrown up by opposing quarterbacks who are under duress," he wrote. "Clinton-Dix has really good range, instincts and ball skills, and he'd be freed up to make plays in Gregg Williams' defense behind all of that talent up front. I think he could wind up as a better pro than he was a college player." NFL Media analyst Charles Davis wrote earlier this month that "it's hard to see" Clinton-Dix slipping past the Rams at No. 13.

NFL Media draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said in a Thursday teleconference that the Bears might use the No. 14 pick to fill a safety need.

"I think they'll have shot at one of those top two guys, Ha Ha Clinton Dix from Alabama, Calvin Pryor from Louisville," Jeremiah said. "HaHa Clinton-Dix might be a little more attractive to them just as a playmaker over the top, kind of a little more range than Pryor." Clinton-Dix could also draw attention from the Lions at No. 10 and the Rams at No. 13. Chicago is also closely monitoring the DT prospects.

"Clinton-Dix is my top-rated safety available, and it's hard to see him getting past the Rams at No. 13, so Dallas, which holds the 16th overall pick, should have its sights set on moving ahead of St. Louis," Davis wrote. If the Cowboys decide to stay put at No. 16, they could also target Louisville's Calvin Pryor. Many evaluators have Pryor as the second-ranked safety on the board after Clinton-Dix. Davis believes that it "won't be a surprise if Dallas decides Clinton-Dix is worth the price to move up."

Alabama S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix has met with the Lions, Panthers, Titans and Falcons, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Rapoport adds Ha Ha is scheduled to visit the Bears this week. It is noteworthy that the Lions, Titans and Falcons are all currently slotted in the top 11, and the Bears could be Clinton-Dix's floor. He is a true roaming safety, something that the NFL is coveting at the correct time.

A workout had been reported for Clinton-Dix, but a team visit could be considered a higher level of interest. The two safeties are fairly different, with Ha Ha projecting as a rangy free safety, with Pryor winning with aggressiveness. Pryor did play a free safety role while in school, but it might not be the case in the NFL.

Clinton-Dix has also met with the Titans. Ha Ha is one of the few true free safeties in this class, something the Ravens absolutely need with Matt Elam expected to move closer to the line of scrimmage. We consider him a top 10 talent.

Clinton-Dix was previously ranked at No. 16 overall, but now sits at No. 10. "Clinton-Dix shows really good range, instincts and playmaking ability from the safety position," McShay writes. "I think he is the best defensive back prospect in this entire draft class."

"Several" NFL personnel people have told NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah that they would be surprised if the Rams pass on Alabama S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix at No. 13.

We are not sure if Clinton-Dix will be available at No. 13. The Alabama product fits best in a free safety role, covering plenty of ground and disrupting at the catch point. He could be selected in the top 10.

Weidl believes the prospects are similar enough in run support to call it a wash, but thinks Clinton-Dix's coverage ability differentiates him from the Cardinals' safety. "Clinton-Dix gives you more flexibility in the back end," Weidl wrote. "He has clean movement skills, above-average range and the ability to drop down into the slot and match up in man coverage. In addition, Clinton-Dix has exceptional eyes and instincts in coverage. He constantly maintains quality leverage and is rarely caught out of position." Pryor is merely "adequate" in coverage, according to the analyst, and "will have limitations in man coverage."

"Haha is better all-around in coverage. So slightly better prospect than Pryor in my opinion. But really tough call. Both leave it all on the field!," McShay tweeted. While McShay believes both Clinton-Dix and Pryor are two of the premier safeties in the draft, he believes Pryor is the "bigger hitter", but mentions "Ha Ha is no slouch in that department." Our own Josh Norris has Clinton-Dix as his top ranked safety.

Clinton-Dix is not consistently mentioned as a possible top 10 selection, but Rotoworld's Josh Norris would not be surprised if the Lions drafted the safety at No. 10, or even the Falcons at No. 6. Mark Barron shocked many when he was selected at No. 7 a few years ago, and the safety position has only grown in importance. An argument could be made that Clinton-Dix has more range than Barron.

The Crimson Tide star is "just as steady versus the run and he gives you more in coverage," wrote the analyst. Clinton-Dix was once the no-brainer top-ranked safety prospect, but Pryor surged past him on many expert's rankings since the end of the season. Rotoworld has remained steadfastly in favor of Clinton-Dix in an apples-to-apples comparison against Pryor.

"Clinton-Dix is an eraser in the backend. Clean mover with plus range. Exceptional eyes, awareness and receiving skills. Constantly maintains leverage," Weidl wrote.
Clinton-Dix is an instinctive athlete with the prototypical build for a safety. With the ability to help with run support and in coverage he brings a ton of versatility to the table. Our own Josh Norris has Clinton-Dix as his top ranked safety.

"I like that kid a lot," Cosell said, adding that Clinton-Dix is a "really fluid mover" with "loose hips" who can change directions quickly. "I really like the way he played downhill in the run game," Cosell said. Some now see Louisville's Calvin Pryor as the draft's best safety, but Rotoworld agrees with Cosell and prefers Clinton-Dix. The Crimson Tide star should be taken in the top-half of the first round.